Purdue to honor Neil Armstrong with helmet decal

The decal Purdue will put on its football helmets to honor Neil Armstrong. (Purdue University )

Legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong, who died on Aug. 25, was perhaps the most famous alum in Purdue history. A building on campus, the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, was named in his honor several years ago.

Now comes another tribute, this one thought up by receiver Tommie Thomas, who was inspired by the stories about Armstrong after his death and asked Coach Danny Hope if they could pay tribute to Armstrong this season.

What they came up with was a helmet sticker of Armstrong, in a spacesuit, planting a Purdue flag. Purdue will put the stickers on players' helmets for the rest of this season.

Armstrong graduated from Purdue in 1955 with a B.S. degree in aeronautical engineering and also played baritone horn in the Purdue marching band.